Comments and Letters

The Honorable Michael Burgess, MD
United States House of Representatives
2241 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20515

Dear Congressman Burgess:

The American Clinical Laboratory Association (ACLA) is extremely pleased to offer our full and strong support for H.R. 3207 the Modernizing Laboratory Test Standards for Patients Act. This Bill is in lock‐step with the need for existing regulation to keep pace with the advancements in science that will move our health care delivery system to one focused on what is best for the patient, public health, and the economy. In particular, we note the legislation’s effectiveness in reaching these goals by strengthening the current regulatory structure and eliminating duplicative regulation; enhancing public transparency for patients, providers and regulatory agencies; forging public/private partnerships with qualified non‐governmental organizations; and strengthening reporting for adverse events‐‐ all without additional government expenditures.

As such, the Modernizing Laboratory Test Standards for Patients Act will accelerate progress toward a personalized medicine revolution. A hallmark of that revolution is the contribution that clinical laboratory developed tests continue to make in enabling better informed diagnosis and better targeted care. The clinical laboratory industry is constantly innovating with new tests that detect and diagnose disease as well as inform the treating physician whether a drug or biologic is an effective means of treating a particular patient. This Bill will help ensure the accuracy and reliability of these tests while maintaining the integrity of the current regulatory framework.

On behalf of our membership, ACLA thanks you again for demonstrating such strong leadership in improving healthcare delivery by introducing legislation that enhances patient care and public health in a cost effective manner without stifling innovation, economic growth and job creation.